GB2615583A

GB2615583A - Battery Holder

Info

Publication number: GB2615583A
Application number: GB2201880.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Tollman Stephen
Original assignee: BB Ipr Ltd
Current assignee: BB Ipr Ltd
Priority date: 2022-02-14
Filing date: 2022-02-14
Publication date: 2023-08-16
Also published as: GB202201880D0

Abstract

A holder 1 comprising a sleeve defining a longitudinal inner passage 5 having a rectangular and uniform cross section, with a first major face 7 and second, opposed major face 6, a first minor face 8 and second, opposed minor face 9, such that internal spacing is suitable to maintain a battery 2A-2D, the sleeve has a first and second end, the first major face is shorter than the second major face at the first end to define an open platform 10, the second end has a barrier across the end of the sleeve and an opening dimensioned to permit a battery to be pushed through it and a second opening opposed to the first opening to allow a user to push the battery. The sleeve may have one concave face. The holder may comprise a separator 4 to fit within the passage between adjacent batteries. The holder may comprise a protrusion extending into the passage from one face to retain a battery in the passage.

Description

Battery Holder The present invention relates to a battery holder suitable for securely packaging at point of sale, storing and dispensing one or more new batteries and for receiving a spent battery or batteries, for disposal or otherwise. The holder may be suitable for use with batteries commonly called button batteries, such as the common size 2032 and larger and smaller types of button batteries. These now find many applications in household applications, such as in items like calculators, audio devices in children's toys and books, watches, hearing aids, scales and similar. However, the invention is also applicable to battery holders for some other types of batteries, particularly cylindrical batteries such as AA and AAA batteries.

With the use of the above-mentioned types of batteries becoming ever more widespread, there are particular concerns commencing from the purchase stage, regarding the secure storage by the consumer through to the safe disposal of such batteries, particularly the button batteries, as a considerable number of these are swallowed each year by both children and pets. In addition to the potential choking hazard, there is also the risk of internal burning from these types of batteries, either by chemical or electrical discharge from a battery. This requires emergency surgical removal for otherwise it can result in life long injury or even death.

In order to partly address the above issues, the button batteries are now sometimes secured in place, particularly in the case of children's toys, by means of a screw cover, which normally prevents access by small children, who are most prone to swallowing such batteries.

Also directed to the above problem is the battery holder disclosed in International Patent Application, Publication Number WO 2020/232497 Al. The battery holder disclosed in this document provides for the secure packaging at point of sale, for secure storage prior to us and the dispensing of new batteries and to the secure storage and disposal of spent batteries. The battery holder may be sold on its own to insert spent batteries, or new batteries purchased in blister packs, or the holder may be purchased with a preloaded number of new batteries stored within, each of which is dispensed from a first end by insertion of a spent battery at a second end, opposite to the first end. A significant benefit of this arrangement is that it ensures spent batteries are safely stored, for it normally requires a spent battery, removed from a device, to be inserted into the battery holder, in order to expel from the holder a new replacement battery to be used in the device.

The present invention aims to provide an improved battery holder of the 10 general type disclosed in WO 2020/232497 Al.

According to the present invention there is provided a battery holder comprising a sleeve defining a longitudinal inner passage having a longitudinal axis and having a generally rectangular and generally uniform cross section along its length, wherein: the sleeve comprises a first major face, or parts thereof, opposed to a second major face and a first minor face opposed to a second minor face, with the internal spacing between the respective pairs of opposed faces being such as to, in use, maintain batteries, of a size the holder is intended to accommodate, within the sleeve in a single linear array and to prevent the batteries riding over each other within the sleeve; the sleeve has a first end and a second end and at the first end the first major face, or parts thereof, terminates short of the second major face, such that the second major face defines an open platform portion on which a battery may be placed and aligned with the passage prior to being pushed into the passage; the second end of the sleeve has a barrier or partial barrier across the end of the sleeve, to prevent batteries being pushed out of the holder in the direction of the longitudinal axis; the barrier, or partial barrier, together with at least two opposed faces of the sleeve are arranged to retain a battery in a holding space in the sleeve at the second end of the sleeve; a first opening dimensioned to permit a battery in the holding space to be pushed through it, with the a second opening opposed to the first opening, or a region opposed to the first opening, being arranged to permit a user to apply pressure to the battery, in order to push the battery from the holding space so that it either extends out of the first opening in the holder, to a position where it may be pulled out of the holder, or where the battery is pushed totally out of the battery holder through the first opening.

A battery holder in accordance with the present invention has all the advantages mentioned above, in respect of the battery holder disclosed in WO 2020/232497 Al. However, the battery holder of the present invention provides the additional feature of having a barrier, or partial barrier, across the end of the sleeve of the battery holder, which permits the battery holder to effectively catch a battery ejected from the passage of the battery holder and to then hold the battery in a holding space until a user subsequently pushes their finger or thumb, for example, through a second opening, or applies pressure on the second region, which may be in the form of a flexible membrane or deflectable portion, in order to force the battery downwards, causing the battery to be displaced so that a front end of the battery then protrudes below the level of the bottom face of the holder, enabling the battery to then be pulled out of the battery holder by the finger and thumb of a user's other hand. Alternatively, the holder could be arranged to permit the battery to be pushed, in one movement, completely out of the battery holder through the first opening. Where a second opening is provided then this may be dimensioned so that a battery may not pass through the second opening.

A battery holder in accordance with the present invention offers significant advantages over known battery holders, for it requires two separate and distinct actions to be performed in order to obtain a new battery from the battery holder. These two distinct actions are unlikely to be performed by a baby or young child, who are most at risk.

One advantage of the requirement for two separate actions is that it first prevents or at least significantly decreases the likelihood that a baby or small child, playing with the holder, will somehow randomly release a battery from the holder.

This also applies to a slightly older or more inquisitive baby or small child, who can see the shiny battery inside and who deliberately tries to remove it, for here batteries at the dispensing end are substantially obscured by the barrier. The barrier also prevents access to a new battery and prevents an item being easily pushed into the passage from the second end to push a battery or batteries backwards along the passage and out the first end of the passage.

The more exposed first end of the battery holder, for receipt of a spent battery, is more easily secured by means of a one way mechanism, that will only let batteries pass into the battery holder. Furthermore, any little finger poked into the passage of the battery holder, through the opening for receiving spent batteries, may cause the batteries to be pushed along inside the holder, but this alone cannot cause a battery to be dispensed from the holder.

In addition to the above, the provision of the barrier, or partial barrier, will also make it far less likely that a battery will be accidentally released from the holder when, for example, it is dropped onto a hard surface or vigorously shaken.

This is because, if the battery holder should be dropped or shaken in such a manner as to cause a battery to be ejected from the passage of the sleeve at the second end, the battery would then likely be captured by the barrier and retained in the holding space. It is far less likely that the action of dropping or shaking the battery holder would cause a battery to first travel in a first direction, required to exit the passage of the sleeve into the holding space, and to then travel in a second direction, orthogonal to the first direction, as necessary for the battery to then exit from the holding space through the first opening, which requires the battery to be depressed whilst in the holding space.

In addition to the barrier feature providing additional security against the above-mentioned release of a battery, by a baby or small child or by accidental release due to the battery holder being dropped, the provision of a barrier and holding space provides a battery holder that is more convenient to use. This is because, in order to insert a spent battery to permit a new battery to be ejected from the battery holder, it is most convenient to hold the battery holder in one hand while the other hand places the spent battery on the platform at the first end of the battery holder and then pushes the battery along that platform into the passage of the sleeve. This process, however, simultaneously causes a new battery to be ejected from the passage at the second end of the sleeve, which in the absence of the barrier or partial barrier forming a holding space, may result in an ejected battery falling from the holder, which could result in the battery contacting the floor and rolling out of sight under an item of furniture or the like, to be subsequently discovered by a child or pet. Although the likelihood of this is not great for any one battery holder, there are hundreds of thousands of batteries of relevant types being replaced every day and each year many children are killed by such batteries and very many more suffer trauma and distress as a result of swallowing such batteries, particularly where children do not have immediate access to appropriate medical facilities.

The provision of the barrier across the end of the passage of a battery holder in accordance with the present invention, permits a user to use one hand to hold the holder while the other pushes a spent battery into the passage of the sleeve, to eject a new battery. The new battery will then be safely captured by the barrier and held in the holding space, enabling the user to then, in a second and separate action, to hold the battery holder in one hand and, press the battery out of the holding space, partway through the first opening of the battery holder, from where it may then be pulled out of the holder, or alternatively it may be pressed all the way out into the palm or fingers of the other hand. In either case the battery being held in the holding space greatly reduces the likelihood of the battery being dropped.

The barrier, or partial barrier, may preferably be formed by the opposed faces of the sleeve, more preferably two opposed minor faces, extending inwardly at the second end of the sleeve and these may extend inwardly and join to define a barrier in the form of a closed end to the sleeve. This is advantageous for the barrier may then match the curved shape of a button battery and thus wrap around a battery in the holding space, to assist in retaining the battery in the holding space. The opposed faces may also define the first and a second opening of the sleeve.

The battery holder preferably comprises a tongue extending from the major face adjacent the first opening, partway across the first opening to partly obscure the first opening and thus to retain a battery in the holding space, wherein the tongue may be deflected by pressure applied to the battery, forcing the battery in the holding space against the tongue so that the tongue is displaced, permitting the battery to either extend at angle out of the first opening in the holder, to the position where it may be pulled out of the holder, or to be pushed totally out of the battery holder through the first opening. The provision of the tongue, which may be formed integrally with the sleeve, will prevent a battery being accidentally displaced from the holding space, thus trapping the battery in the holding space until sufficient pressure is exerted on the battery by a user, to sufficiently deflect the tongue to permit the battery to be partly pass at an angle through the first opening or to be ejected through the first opening.

The tongue is preferably dimensioned and arranged to be deflected in a manner to permit the battery to be displaced from the holding space to a position where the battery is angled downwards, so that the battery partly extends through the first opening at an angle, in which position it is retained by the tongue, until the battery is pulled out of the holder by the user. This permits the battery holder to "hand" the battery to the user, permitting the user to then pull the battery from the holder, which should further act to ensure that the battery is not accidentally dropped on removal from the battery holder.

Preferably, the sleeve in cross section has a first major face, so that the two major faces and two minor faces define a closed tubular sleeve. However, alternatively, instead of a complete first major face, this could comprise just two edge portions (parts thereof) defining a central slit along what would otherwise be the first major face, to form a generally C-shaped, but generally rectangular, sleeve.

In the case where the sleeve in cross section has a first major face, so that the two major faces and two minor faces define a closed tubular sleeve, the first major face is preferably concave with a central portion extending inwardly to sandwich batteries within the sleeve between the first major face and the second major face. Alternatively, in the case where there are only two edge portion of what would be the first major face, these preferably extend inwardly to sandwich batteries within the sleeve between the inwardly extending edges and the second major face. In either embodiment, such a feature is particularly advantageous where the sleeve is formed of a plastic material and is thus resilient, for the minimum width between said one face, or edges, and the opposed face may be slightly less than the dimension of the battery between the one face or edges and the opposed face, so that the presence of a battery slightly forces the one face or edges apart from the opposed face, so that the one face or edges and opposed face may then frictionally impede the passage of the battery along the whole length of the battery holder.

Preferably, the battery holder further comprises a first protrusion extending into the passage from one of said faces and positioned towards the first end of the sleeve, approximately in line with or slightly inward of the end of the first major face, or parts thereof" so that the first protrusion retains a battery in the passage towards the first end of the sleeve and acts to retain the battery in the passage in a position where it is substantially concealed by the major faces of the sleeve, to prevent a person being able to obtain sufficient purchase on the battery to be able to remove it from the first end of the sleeve. The protrusion may be sufficiently resilient, or resiliently mounted, to permit a battery to be pushed into the sleeve past the protrusion. The protrusion may also have the profile of a tooth of a saw, to assist insertion of a battery but to then provide a vertical barrier opposing subsequent release of the battery from the first end of the sleeve.

Similarly to the above, the battery holder may comprise a second protrusion extending into the passage from one of said faces and positioned towards a second end of the sleeve approximately in line with, or forming an edge of, the first opening, so that the second protrusion acts to retain a battery in the passage towards the second end of the sleeve and acts to prevent it passing into the

B

holding space, thus acting to retain the battery in the sleeve in a position where it cannot be displaced by a finger or thumb pushed into the second opening. It will thus then require a spent battery to first be inserted into the first end of the sleeve to enable its removal. The protrusion should though be sufficiently resilient, or resiliently mounted, to permit a battery to be pushed by an adjacent battery along the sleeve into the holding space. In order to provide resilience to the protrusions, one or each protrusion may be formed on the end of a tongue integrally formed in one of the faces of the sleeve.

Preferably, the battery holder comprises a separator shaped to fit within the passage and to be pushed along the passage between two adjacent batteries. The separator may be preferably be dimensioned to frictionally engage with the sleeve. This enables spent batteries inserted at the first end of the sleeve to be separated from new batteries originally supplied in the sleeve. This may be particularly advantageous where the sleeve is clear and the separator is visible through the sleeve, for this enables it to be readily determined how many new batteries remain in the sleeve.

Preferably, the separator is shaped so as to be prevented from passing 20 through either the first or second openings when reaching the second end of the sleeve. In this manner, once all the new batteries have been dispensed the separator will effectively seal the second end of the sleeve.

The battery holder could be formed by being cut from extruded lengths of sleeve, with subsequent processes applied or components added to form said barrier and other features. However, it is particularly advantageous if the sleeve is formed from two separate halves, or two halves joined by a living hinge, whereby the battery holder can then be formed by injection moulding. The two halves may then be joined together to form the sleeve, either by cooperating mechanical engagement means formed on respective ones of the two halves, which cooperating mechanical engagement means are arranged to lock the two halves together, possibly employing "snap-fit" fastenings along one edge (living hinge embodiment) or both edges. Alternatively, the two halves could be joined by being frictionally or mechanically welded together, by being glued together, or by any other appropriate means known to the skilled person.

In one embodiment, the battery holder may be arranged to hold at least one button battery, of a specific size, wherein the width of the passage between the two minor faces of the sleeve is approximately equal to the diameter of the button battery and the height of the passage between the two major faces, where the major faces meet the minor faces is approximately equal to the depth of the button battery and wherein the first opening is generally circular and has a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the button battery.

Alternatively, the battery holder may be arranged to hold at least one cylindrical battery of a specific size, wherein the height of the passage between the two major faces of the sleeve, at a point where the two major faces of the sleeve meet the respective minor faces of the sleeve, is approximately equal to the diameter of the cylindrical battery and wherein the width of the passage between the two minor faces is approximately equal to the length of the cylindrical battery.

In the case of a battery holder arranged to hold a cylindrical battery, it is preferable that the separator is shaped to fit in the passage and arranged to be positioned between two adjacent batteries and to pass along the passage between the two adjacent batteries, wherein the separator has on a first side a concave surface arranged to partly accommodate the respective curved side of an adjacent spent battery and on a second side a flat surface arranged to abut an adjacent new battery, the separator having an extended portion arranged to lie alongside the positive terminal (pip) extending from one end of the new battery closest to the second end of the sleeve and to space the remaining end of the battery from the respective face of the sleeve.

The separator may also have a portion extending from the second side of the separator and arranged to limit the travel of the separator by engaging with the barrier. The extended flat surface permits the battery to be pressed out of the holding space without fouling on the separator, while the portion extending from the second side of the separator prevents the separator passing to the holding space and thus form potentially being pressed out of the first opening, or part way out of the first opening.

The battery holder may be arranged to store two or more batteries within the passage to provide convenient storage and dispensing of a plurality of batteries. However, the battery holder could be arranged to store only a single battery, where the holder is dimensioned to provide a lesser potential chocking hazard than a battery stored within the battery holder. A battery holder for a single battery would still require a spent battery to be inserted to dispense the new battery and would thus provide the advantages associated with this. In addition, the single battery holder, because of its likely small size, may be shaped to have a portion extending from it, arranged to sufficiently enlarge the battery holder to enable it to comply with small parts safety regulations.

Two embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a button battery holder in accordance with the present invention, with four button batteries installed; Figure 2 is a front elevation of the battery holder of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a top view of the battery holder of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a rear elevation of the battery holder of Figures 1 to 3; Figure 5 is a bottom view of the battery holder of Figures 1 to 4; Figure 6 is a cross section along the line VI-VI of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the battery holder of Figures 1 to 6, showing the separator and batteries in the casing prior to the casing being closed; Figure 8 is a top view corresponding to that of Figure 3, but with a spent battery inserted; Figure 9 is a bottom view of the battery holder of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a bottom view corresponding to that of Figure 9, but with four spent batteries inserted into the battery holder; Figure 11 is a top perspective view of a second embodiment of a battery holder in accordance with the present invention, with six new cylindrical batteries inserted; Figure 12 is a rear elevation of the battery holder of Figure 11; Figure 13 is a side elevation of the battery holder of Figures 11 and 12; Figures 14 and 15 correspond to Figures 11 and 12 respectively, but with a spent battery inserted into the battery holder 1; Figure 16 corresponds to Figures 11 and 14, but with five spent batteries inserted into the battery holder 1; and Figure 17 corresponds to Figures 11, 14 and 16, but with six spent batteries inserted into the battery holder.

Referring now to Figures 1 to 6, these disclose a first embodiment of a battery holder, indicated generally as 1, in accordance with the present invention. The battery holder 1, in this embodiment, is for the storage of four button batteries (or button cells) 2A to 2D and in the embodiment illustrated these are 2032 button batteries, which have a relatively low profile as shown. The battery holder 1 is dimensioned specifically for storage of 2032 button batteries and advantageously the battery holder will form part of the packaging the button batteries 2A to 20 are sold in.

Although one embodiment of a button battery holder will now be described for storing size 2032 batteries, but similar battery holders may be dimensioned to accommodate button batteries of various sizes. In addition, although in the illustrated embodiment the battery holder stores four button batteries 2A to 2D, it will be appreciated that such a battery holder may be dimensioned to store any number of button batteries, including one battery.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 6, the battery holder comprises a case 3 formed of a clear injection moulded plastic, permitting the button batteries 2A to 2D to be seen through the plastic together with a separator 4, also housed within the case 3.

As will be appreciated from a review of Figures 1 to 6, the case 3 has a sleeve portion defining a longitudinal passage 5 in which the button batteries 2A to 2D and separator 4 are contained, in the manner the batteries would be packaged and purchased.

As most clearly seen from Figure 4, the passage 5 is defined by the inner surfaces of a bottom face 6, top face 7, left face 8 and right face 9 of the case 3.

The top face 7 is convex with a central portion that bears down on the button batteries 2A to 2D, holding them firmly against the bottom face 6, with the resilience of the plastic urging the central portion of the top face 6 into contact with the button batteries 2A to 2D. The cross section of the passage 5, along the length of the sleeve portion of the case 3, thus has a profile as shown in Figure 4, where the depth of the passage 5 is greater towards the left and right faces 8 and 9 than it is in a central portion. The separator 4, as can be seen from Figure 4, has a similar cross-sectional profile and this acts to retain the separator 4 in an orientation extending perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the passage 5. The separator 4 also has concave leading and trailing edges, which abut respective ones of the button batteries within the battery holder 1, which acts to both centralise the batteries and the separator 4 within the passage 5.

To the rear of the battery holder 1, (right hand side as viewed in Figures 1 and 3 and 5 to 6), the top face 7 is cutaway so that the bottom face 6 extends further than the top face and forms a platform 10, bearing the marking "IN" between two arrows. The platform 10 is arranged to receive a battery, which battery, when placed on the platform 10 may be correctly aligned to slide into the passage 5, by being pushed from right to left, as shown in Figure 3, which may conveniently be achieved by use of a user's thumb. The battery will be guided under the lower central portion of the top face 7 by guide 11, most clearly seen in Figure 6, which slopes upwards from the central portion of the top face 7 whilst depressing protrusion 14.

As can perhaps be most clearly seen from Figures 5 and 6, the bottom face 6, forming the platform 10 has a U-shaped slot 12 formed through it, which slot defines a first integral tongue 13. As can be seen from Figure 6, the tongue 13 terminates in protrusion 14, which is urged by the tongue 13 into the passage 5. The protrusion forms a stop face 15, arranged to engage with either a battery or the separator 4, to prevent either from exiting the passage 5. The protrusion 14 is resiliently biased to the position shown in Figure 6 by the tongue 13. Thus, a battery placed on the platform portion 10 may be pushed into the passage 5, with the battery engaging with the chamfered leading edge 16 of the protrusion 14, causing the protrusion to be deflected by the battery, until the battery has passed.

At the front end of the battery holder 1, to the left as shown in Figures 1, 3, 5 and 6, the left and right faces 8 and 9, as can best be seen from Figure 5, curve inwardly to form a curved barrier portion 17 which, as can be seen from Figure 6, lies across the longitudinal axis of the passage 5. Thus, any battery, such as button battery 2A, sliding along the passage 5, will encounter the barrier portion 17, preventing the battery 2A moving further to the left, as shown in Figure 6, as will be described below with reference to Figures 7 to 10.

As shown in Figure 5, the bottom face 6, towards the front end of the passages, terminates in a tongue 18 which is integrally formed with the bottom face 6. As will be appreciated from Figures 5 and 6, when battery 2A is displaced to a holding space where it abuts the barrier portion 17, the tongue 18 will retain the battery 2A within the holding space, as described below with reference to Figures 8 to 10. The battery 2A may then be pressed downwards, out of the holding space, by insertion of a finger or thumb through aperture 19, located to the front of the top face 7 of the case 3. This causes the battery 2A to be displaced so that a front end of the battery then protrudes below the level of the bottom face 6 of the holder 1, enabling the battery 2A to then be simultaneously pulled out of the battery holder by the finger and thumb of a user's other hand, whilst pressure continues to be exerted on the battery through the aperture 19, for otherwise the tongue 18 returns the battery 2A back to the holding space where it is no longer assessable. Alternatively, the holder 1 could be arranged to permit the battery to be pushed, in one movement, completely out of the battery holder 1.

As also can be seen from Figure 1, a further tongue 20 is formed in the top face 7, which as can be seen in Figure 6, has a protrusion 21 extending down from a front edge. The protrusion 21 engages with a front edge of battery 2A, acting to retain the battery 2A and the batteries behind the battery 2A within the passage 5.

However, the protrusion 21 has a chamfered edge towards the battery 2A, permitting the battery to be pushed past the protrusion 21, against the resilience of the tongue 20.

The above-mentioned features, particularly the barrier portion 17 and various protrusions and tongues, preclude the case 3 being manufactured by an extrusion process, unless a number of subsequent steps are performed to produce the aforementioned features. Therefore, the battery holder in this embodiment, as can be seen from Figure 7, is formed from an injection moulded case 3 comprising a top portion 3A and a bottom portion 3B, joined together by a living hinge 22. On the right-hand edges of both the top portion 3A and bottom portion 3B are located a series of respective ones 23, 24 of cooperating pairs of snap fit non-return clips. Once the batteries 2A to 2D and the separator 4 have been inserted, as shown in Figure 7, the top portion 3A of the case 3 is closed and fastened to the bottom portion 3B by the none return clips 23, 24. Alternatively, the batteries 2A to 2D and separator 4 could be inserted after closing the top position 3A and bottom portion 3B.

Referring now to Figures 8 to 10, these show the battery holder 1 of Figures 1 to 6 in use. The battery holder 1 will initially be supplied with four batteries 2A to 2D in it, in the positions indicated in Figures 1 to 7. When it is desired to remove a new battery 2A from the battery holder 1, a spent battery 2E will be placed on the platform portion 10 from where it will be pushed into the passage 5 to the position shown in Figures 8 and 9, in turn pushing the battery 2A at the other end of the holder, past the protrusion 21 on tongue 20 and into contact with the barrier portion 17. Here it will be held by tongue 18 in a holding space at the very front of the battery holder 1. From this position, the battery 2A may then be pressed downwards, by a person pressing their thumb or finger through the aperture 19, most clearly seen in Figure 1. This will cause the battery 2A to be displaced at an angle so that a front end of the battery then protrudes below the level of the bottom face 6 of the holder 1, enabling the battery 2A to then be pulled out of the battery holder by the finger and thumb of the user's other hand. Alternatively, the holder 1 could be arranged to permit the battery to be pushed, in one movement, completely out of the battery holder 1.

As each battery 2A to 2D is dispensed from the battery holder 1, the separator 4 will move towards the front of the battery holder. The separator 4 may be brightly coloured and the case 3 moulded from a transparent or translucent plastic, enabling the separator and batteries to be seen through the casing and to thus clearly indicate to the user how many new batteries remain in front of the separator. When four spent batteries 2E to 2H have been inserted into the battery holder 1 the separator 4 will adopt the position shown in Figure 10, where the last new battery 2D to be dispensed is now in the holding space. The battery 2D may thus be dispensed by pressing it out of the battery holder 1 in the manner previously described, at which point the battery holder 1 with the four batteries 2E to 2H in it, in the position shown in Figure 10, may be disposed of in its entirety for recycling. However, if it is attempted to insert a further spent battery, not shown, or other item, this will cause the separator 4 to be pushed to a position where the front most edges of the separator 4 engage with the inwardly curving left and right faces, so that the separator 4 will wedge halfway across the holding space, preventing any access to the passage 5 via the holding space.

Once the spent batteries have been inserted in the holder they cannot thus then be removed and will be retained safely and not stacked upon each other, which could create a potential risk of fire due to the higher sum voltage.

The invention has so far been described with reference to a battery holder for button cells. However, the invention is equally applicable to battery holders for cylindrical batteries, for example AAA or AA batteries and a second embodiment of a battery holder, in accordance with the present invention, will now be described with reference to Figures 11 to 17, which show, in this example, a battery holder 25 dimensioned to store AAA batteries.

Referring first to Figures 11 to 13, these show a battery holder, indicated generally as 25, comprising a case 26 which again comprises a top portion 26A and a bottom portion 26B joined together by a living hinge 27 and engaging means, as with the previous embodiment, to form a longitudinal passage 28 in which is located a separator 29 and six new AAA batteries 30A to 30F. The passage 28, as in the previous embodiment, is defined by the internal surfaces of bottom 31, top 32, left 33 and right 34 faces, with the top face 32 being concave and being urged by the resilient nature of the plastics material from which it is formed into contact with the batteries 30A to 30F and the separator 29, to sandwich the batteries 30A to 30F and the separator 29 between the top and bottom faces 32 and 31, to frictionally engage with them. As with the previous embodiment, the bottom face 31 extends further than the top face 32, to form a platform 35 on which a battery may be rested prior to being pushed into the passage 28. At the opposite end of the passage 28, at the front of the battery holder 25, there is a barrier portion 36, which defines a holding space for a battery extending back to a protrusion (not shown) extending inwardly from the end of the tongue 37, as in the previous embodiment, and which retains battery 30A, of Figure 11, in place. The tongue 37 is resiliently biased inwardly into the passage to restrain battery 30A and subsequent batteries 30B to 30F. However, on insertion of an additional spent battery, the battery 30A will be pushed past the tongue 37 into the holding space forward of the tongue 37, where it is restrained by the barrier portion 36.

As with the previously described embodiment, a thumb or finger may be pushed through aperture 39 in the top face 32 to then press the battery 30A past a tongue 38, partly extending across a slot (not shown) extending partway across the bottom face 31 and wide enough to permit the battery 30A to pass through the slot and out of the battery holder 25.

Referring now to Figure 14, this shows the battery holder 25 with a first spent battery 40A having been inserted, resulting in battery 30A being moved from the position shown in Figure 11 to the holding space shown in Figure 14. Here the battery 30A may then be pressed out of the battery holder 25 past the tongue 38, seen in Figure 11. The process may then be repeated, with the separator 29 progressively moving along the passage 28, to the position shown in Figure 16 and on until the last new battery has been dispensed and the separator reaches the final position shown in Figure 17. Here, an extension portion 42 of the separator 29 contacts the barrier portion 36 of the case 26, preventing the separator 29 moving past the point shown in Figure 17 and thus trapping the separator and effectively sealing the second end of the passage 28.

From the above description of Figures 11 to 17, it will be appreciated that the battery holder of the second embodiment functions in the same manner as the battery holder of the first embodiment and provides the same advantages.

Two embodiments of the present invention have been described above by way of example only, but it will be appreciated that many other modifications may be made which fall within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims, particularly, the invention may be applied to battery holders for very many different shapes and sizes of battery, such as for example a rectangular 9 Volt battery. A battery holder could also be curved about an axis parallel to the axis of a battery within the holder and thus could, for example, be horseshoe shaped.

Claims

Claims 1. A battery holder comprising a sleeve defining a longitudinal inner passage having a longitudinal axis and having a generally rectangular and generally uniform cross section along its length, wherein: the sleeve comprises a first major face, or parts thereof, opposed to a second major face and a first minor face opposed to a second minor face, with the internal spacing between the respective pairs of opposed faces being such as to, in use, maintain batteries of a size the holder is intended to accommodate within the sleeve in a single linear array and to prevent the batteries riding over each other within the sleeve; the sleeve has a first end and a second end and at the first end the first major face, or parts thereof, terminates short of the second major face, such that the second major face defines an open platform portion on which a battery may be placed and aligned with the passage prior to being pushed into the passage; the second end of the sleeve has a barrier, or partial barrier, across the end of the sleeve, to prevent batteries being pushed out of the holder in the direction of the longitudinal axis; the barrier, or partial barrier, together with at least two opposed faces of the sleeve are arranged to retain a battery in a holding space in the sleeve at the second end of the sleeve; the second end of the sleeve has, a first opening dimensioned to permit a battery in the holding space to be pushed through it, with a second opening opposed to the first opening, or a region opposed to the first opening, being arranged to permit a user to apply pressure to the battery, in order to push the battery from the holding space so that it either extends out of the first opening in the holder, to a position where it may be pulled out of the holder, or where the battery is pushed totally out of the battery holder through the first opening.
2. A battery holder as claimed in Claim 1, wherein at the second end of the sleeve two opposed faces of the sleeve extend inwardly to form the barrier or partial barrier.
3. A battery holder as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the opposed minor faces extend inwardly and join to define a barrier in the form of a closed end to the sleeve.
4. A battery holder as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, wherein the opposed faces extending inwardly at the second end to define the first and a second opening.
5. A battery holder as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a tongue extending from the major face adjacent the first opening, partway across the first opening to partly obscure the first opening and thus to retain a battery in the holding space, wherein the tongue may be deflected by pressure applied to the battery, forcing the battery in the holding space against the tongue so that the tongue is displaced, permitting the battery to either extend out of the first opening in the holder, to the position where it may be pulled out of the holder, or to be pushed totally out of the battery holder through the first opening.
6. A battery holder as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the tongue is dimensioned and arranged to be deflected in a manner to permit the battery to be displaced from the holding space to a position where the battery is angled, so that the battery partly extends through the first opening at an angle, in which position it is retained by the tongue, until the battery is pulled out of the holder by the user.
7. A battery holder as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sleeve, in cross section, has one face which is concave and thus has a central portion extending inwardly to sandwich the batteries within the sleeve between the said one face and an opposed face and to frictionally impede the passage of the batteries along the passage.
8. A battery holder as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a first protrusion extending into the passage from one of said faces and positioned towards the first end of the sleeve, approximately in line with or slightly inward of the end of the first major face, or parts thereof, so that the first protrusion retains a battery in the passage towards the first end of the sleeve and acts to retain the battery in the passage in a position where it is substantially concealed by the major faces of the sleeve, to prevent a person being able to obtain sufficient purchase on the battery to be able to remove it from the first end of the sleeve, the protrusion being sufficiently resilient, or sufficiently resiliently mounted, to permit a battery to be pushed into the sleeve pass the protrusion.
9. A battery holder as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a second protrusion extending into the passage from one of said faces and positioned towards a second end of the sleeve approximately in line with, or forming an edge of, the first opening, so that the second protrusion acts to retain a battery in the passage towards the second end of the sleeve and acts to prevent it passing into the holding space, thus acting to retain the battery in the sleeve in a position where it cannot be displaced by a finger or thumb pushed into the second opening, the protrusion being sufficiently resilient, or resiliently mounted, to permit the battery to be pushed along the sleeve into the holding space by an adjacent battery.
10. A battery holder as claimed in Claim 8 or 9, wherein the first or second protrusion is formed on the end of a tongue formed in one of the faces of the sleeve.
11. A battery holder as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a 25 separator shaped to fit within the passage and pass along the passage between two adjacent batteries.
12. A battery holder as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the separator is shaped so as to be prevented from passing through either the first or second openings, when reaching the second end of the sleeve.
13. A battery holder as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sleeve is formed from two separate halves or two halves joined by a living hinge, wherein the two halves are joined together to form the sleeve by mechanical engagement means formed on the two halves which are arranged to lock the two halves together, or by being welded or glued together.
14. A battery holder as claimed in any preceding claim, arranged to hold at least one button batteries, of a specific size, wherein the width of the passage between the two minor faces of the sleeve is approximately equal to the diameter of the button battery and the height of the passage between the two major faces, where the major faces meet the minor faces is approximately equal to the depth of the button battery and wherein the first opening is generally circular and has a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the button battery.
15. A battery holder as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 13, arranged to hold at least one cylindrical battery, of a specific size, wherein the height of the passage between the two major faces of the sleeve, at a point where the major faces of the sleeve meet the minor faces of the sleeve, is approximately equal to the diameter of the cylindrical battery and wherein the width of the passage between the two minor faces is approximately equal to the length of the cylindrical battery.
16. A battery holder as claimed in Claim 15, comprising a separator shaped to fit in the passage and arranged to be positioned between two adjacent batteries and to pass along the passage between the two adjacent batteries, wherein the separator has on a first side a concave surface arranged to partly accommodate the respective curved side of an adjacent battery and on a second side a flat surface arranged to abut an adjacent battery, the separator having at an extended portion arranged to lie alongside the positive terminal (pip) extending from one end of the battery closest to the second end of the sleeve and to space the remaining end of the battery from the respective face of the sleeve.
17. A battery holder as claimed in Claim 16, having a portion extending from the second side of the separator and arranged to limit the travel of the separator by engaging with the barrier.
18. A battery holder as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the passage is arranged to store two or more batteries within the passage.
19. A battery holder as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17 wherein the passage is arranged to store a single battery in the passage.
20. A battery holder as claimed in any and wherein the battery holder has portions extending from it, arranged to provide at least one air passage alongside the holder, should the battery holder be swallowed.